Choosing Love Today

In this episode, we continue our walk through Ephesians by looking at what it really means to live a life worthy of the calling we’ve received. Paul isn’t talking about perfection — he’s talking about identity. Who we are shapes how we walk, how we respond, and how we show love in the everyday moments that matter. This teaching leans into the steady, practical side of faith: choosing humility, patience, unity, and love as the rhythm of our lives. When we understand who we are in Christ, “worthy” stops being pressure… and becomes freedom. If this encourages you, share it with someone who might need a little clarity and hope today. Join the CLT Facebook Group for all episodes and daily minis: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19Ya4AW4x8/

In Part 2 of our walk through Ephesians, we slow down and look at what it really means to live out our faith in everyday life. Not the polished, church‑stage version — the real, blue‑collar, regular‑guy version that shows up in how we talk, how we treat people, how we handle pressure, and how we carry ourselves when nobody’s watching. Paul doesn’t just tell us what to believe… he shows us how to walk it out. In this episode, we explore: How strength and maturity show up in daily choices What “walking worthy” looks like in real life Why unity matters more than ever How spiritual growth changes our relationships The practical steps that help us stay grounded and steady If you’re looking for a simple, honest, approachable breakdown of Ephesians — something that helps you live it, not just learn it— this one’s for you.

Hi everyone! Welcome to this series of messages I’ve titled “Who We Are.” Let me start with a question — something simple, but something every one of us feels at some point: Have you ever wondered if you’re really loved? Not “liked,” not “appreciated,” not “tolerated”… but genuinely, deeply, unconditionally loved? Most people won’t say that out loud, but almost everyone feels it. We all have moments where we question our worth, or wonder if we matter, or hope someone sees us and cares. And Paul, right in the middle of Ephesians, speaks directly to that part of us — the part that needs to know we’re not alone. In Ephesians 3:17–19, Paul prays that we would be “rooted and grounded in love,” and that we would somehow begin to grasp “the breadth and length and height and depth” of the love of Christ — a love that “surpasses knowledge.” That’s not just encouragement. That’s identity. That’s who we are. We are loved. Rooted and grounded — those are foundation words. Paul is saying love isn’t just something God feels toward you. It’s the ground you stand on. It’s the soil your life grows out of. It’s the anchor that holds you steady when everything else feels uncertain. And he doesn’t describe God’s love with small words. He uses words with size — breadth, length, height, depth — like he’s trying to stretch our imagination far enough to understand something we’ll never fully grasp. Because God’s love isn’t fragile. It isn’t conditional. It isn’t based on how well you’re doing or how strong you feel. It’s bigger than your past, stronger than your fears, and deeper than anything you’ve ever walked through. Let me bring this into real life for a moment. There have been days — and you’ve had them too — where I didn’t feel very lovable. Maybe I was tired, maybe I was frustrated, maybe I wasn’t proud of how I handled something. And in those moments, it’s easy to think God must feel the same way about us that we feel about ourselves. But He doesn’t. His love isn’t a reaction to our behavior. It’s a commitment rooted in His character. I remember a morning not too long ago when everything felt heavy. I was running on fumes, trying to get through the day, and somewhere in the middle of all that noise, God reminded me: “Mike, you’re loved. Not because you’re doing great. Not because you’re strong. Not because you’re getting everything right. You’re loved because that’s who you are in Christ.” And that’s true for you too. So whatever today looks like — whether you’re confident or uncertain, whether you’re carrying joy or carrying weight — remember this: you are loved with a love that surpasses knowledge. A love that doesn’t shrink. A love that doesn’t fade. A love that doesn’t depend on your performance. A love that holds you steady. That’s who you are. Thanks for listening… and keep Choosing Love Today.  

Hi everyone! Welcome to this series of messages I’ve titled “Who We Are.” Let me start with a question for you — something simple, but real: Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up already tired? Not physically tired, but tired on the inside… like your strength ran out before the day even began? If you’ve ever felt that way, Paul has something to say to you — something about who you are in Christ. In Ephesians 3:16, Paul prays that God would strengthen us “with power through His Spirit in the inner man.” That’s not just a prayer — that’s identity. That’s who we are now. We are people strengthened from the inside out. Not by willpower. Not by trying harder. Not by pretending we’re okay. But by the Spirit of God working in the deepest part of us. And I love how Paul says this strength comes “according to the riches of His glory.” That means the supply isn’t based on how strong you and I feel today. It’s not based on how well you slept, how much you’re carrying, or how overwhelmed you might be. It’s based on His riches — His generosity, His faithfulness, His presence. Let me bring this into real life for a moment. Yesterday I had one of those long, chaotic days. You’ve had those days too — days where everything seems to pile up, and you’re doing your best just to keep moving. And when I finally got to bed, I felt that inner tiredness. Not defeated… just worn. And this morning, when I finally got up, I realized something: God didn’t remove the weight of yesterday. He strengthened me to walk into today. That’s what Paul is talking about. Inner strength is quiet strength. It’s steady strength. It’s the strength that helps you take the next step when life feels heavy. It’s the strength that reminds you that you’re not carrying things alone. And that’s who you are in Christ — someone God strengthens. Someone God meets right where life presses the hardest. Someone who doesn’t have to pretend to be strong, because God is strengthening you from the inside out. So, whatever you’re facing today — a decision, a burden, a worry, or just the weight of a long week — remember this: you are strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. And that strength is enough for today. Thanks for listening… And my friends, that's another way I can keep Choosing Love Today.    

Hi everyone! Welcome to this series of messages I’ve titled “Who We Are.” Let me start with a question for you — something honest and personal: Have you ever looked back at your life and wished you could undo something? A moment… a decision… a season… something you wish you could rewrite or take back? I think if most of us were honest we'd say, just one thing?” I sure know I do. Some things fade with time, but others stick with us longer than they should. And sometimes, even years later, they still whisper, “You should’ve done better.” If you’ve ever felt that way, Paul has a word for you — a word about who you are now in Christ. In Ephesians 1:7, Paul says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” That’s not just theology — that’s identity. That’s who you are. You are redeemed. Redeemed means bought back. Redeemed means restored. Redeemed means your past doesn’t get the final say. It means your story isn’t defined by the worst thing you’ve done, or the hardest season you’ve lived through, or the mistakes you wish you could erase. And Paul says this redemption comes “according to the riches of His grace.” Not according to your effort. Not according to how sorry you feel. Not according to how well you’ve performed since then. According to His grace — His generosity, His kindness, His love poured out freely. Let me bring this into real life for a moment. There have been seasons in my life — and you’ve had them too — where I carried things longer than I should have. Not because God hadn’t forgiven me, but because I hadn’t forgiven myself. I kept replaying old moments, old mistakes, old failures. And somewhere along the way, God reminded me: “Mike, you’re redeemed. That’s who you are now. Let it go.” Redemption doesn’t erase the past — it transforms it. It takes what was broken and brings healing. It takes what was lost and brings restoration. It takes what was shameful and brings freedom. It means God can take the very things you wish had never happened and use them to shape compassion, wisdom, humility, and strength in you today. And here’s the part that always gets me: redemption is not a one time event you try to hold onto. It’s a standing identity. It’s who you wake up as every single morning. You don’t “fall out” of being redeemed. You don’t have to re earn it. You don’t have to prove you deserve it. You simply live in it — because God has already spoken that word over your life. So whatever you’re carrying today — guilt, regret, old memories, old wounds — remember this: you are redeemed through His blood, according to the riches of His grace. You don’t have to keep dragging yesterday into today. God has already spoken a better word over your life. Thanks for listening… and His grace is another reason I keep Choosing Love Today.    

Ephesians –  “Who We Are: Redeemed and Welcomed Home”    Hi everyone and welcome back to Choosing Love Today!   Today's message is very personal one to me because it's one I experienced over 50 years ago. I wasn't a terrible teenager, but I sure was a know-it-all and I gave my parents all kinds of grief. The sad part is it hurt my mother terribly and secondly, I lost my father in a tragic car accident just 2 ½ years later just after we were mending our relationship. I tell you all that to ask you this question....Have you ever had a moment where you felt like you’d gone too far? Not just a mistake — but a decision, a season, or a choice that made you wonder if you could ever get back to where you once were. Those moments can make us question whether God still wants us, still welcomes us, still calls us His own. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. Jesus told a story about someone who felt exactly that — the Prodigal Son. The younger son didn’t just drift away; he ran away. He took his inheritance early, left home, and spent everything on a life that promised freedom but delivered emptiness. When the money ran out, so did the friends. And he found himself alone, hungry, and working in a place he never imagined he’d be. Scripture says he finally “came to himself.” (Luke 15:17) That moment is important. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t spiritual fireworks. It was quiet clarity — the kind that comes when you’re tired of running and tired of pretending. He realized he had nothing left: no dignity, no resources, no plan. And he thought the best he could hope for was to return home as a servant. Not a son. Not restored. Just tolerated. But here’s the part we often miss: The father had been watching for him. Jesus says that “while he was still a long way off,” the father saw him. That means the father had been looking down that road every day, hoping, praying, waiting for the slightest silhouette of his son returning. And when he finally saw him, he didn’t stand still. He didn’t fold his arms. He didn’t wait for an apology. He ran to him. He embraced him. He covered him. He restored him. He celebrated him. He didn’t say, “Let’s talk about what you did.” He said, “My son was lost… and now he’s found.” (Luke 15:24) That’s redemption. That’s restoration. That’s identity. Ephesians 1 tells us the same truth about who we are in Christ: We are redeemed — not because we never fail, but because God never stops welcoming us home. Your identity isn’t defined by your detours. Your worth isn’t erased by your mistakes. Your place in God’s family isn’t fragile. Maybe today you’re carrying something you regret. Maybe you’re wondering if God wants you back. Maybe you’re afraid you’ve gone too far. Hear this clearly: You haven’t. You’re loved. You’re welcomed. You’re redeemed. So today, walk like someone who has already been invited home. Think like someone who has already been forgiven. Live like someone who has already been restored. Because that’s exactly who you are… in Christ. (and by the way, the last words my father and I told each other that Friday night before he dies were.....I love you.) And that why I keep Choosing Love Today.

Ephesians – Part 1 -- “Who We Are: Seen by God”    Hi everyone! Welcome back to our new mini-series of messages titles “Who We Are”, where we are taking some Biblical in-sites that can help us pause to pause, look inward and help us to see ourselves the way God sees us.   Have you ever had a moment where you felt pushed aside? Not rejected outright… just quietly moved to the margins. Maybe by circumstances, maybe by people, maybe by life itself. And in those moments, it’s easy to wonder if God sees you at all — if He notices the weight you’re carrying or the questions you’re wrestling with. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. One of the most overlooked people in Scripture is Hagar. Hagar didn’t choose her situation. She didn’t choose her role. She didn’t choose the tension in her home. She was a servant caught in a story she didn’t write — and when things became unbearable, she ran. She didn’t run toward something; she ran away from pain, confusion, and mistreatment. And that’s where God met her. In Genesis 16, Hagar is alone in the wilderness —with no support, no protection, no plan. But Scripture says, “the angel of the Lord found her.” Not by accident. Not by coincidence. God went looking for her. He spoke to her. He comforted her. He gave her direction. He gave her hope. He gave her a future. And Hagar said something no one else in Scripture had ever said before: “You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13) Not the God who sees crowds. Not the God who sees nations. The God who sees me. Ephesians 1 tells us the same thing about who we are in Christ. We are seen, known, and remembered by God. Not overlooked. Not forgotten. Not lost in the shuffle. Sometimes the wilderness is where God speaks the clearest. Sometimes the lonely places are where He reminds us who we really are. And sometimes the moments we think are the end are actually the beginning of something new. Maybe today you’re carrying something quietly. Maybe you’re walking through something nobody else fully understands. Maybe you’re in a place that feels like a wilderness. But, my dear friend, hear this clearly: God does sees you and God knows you. And God is with you — right here and right now. So today, walk like someone who is already seen. Pray like someone who is already known. Live like someone who is already remembered by God. Because that’s exactly who you are… in Christ.   And that's another reason to Keep Choosing Love Today!

Hi everyone! Welcome to this series of messages I’ve titled “Who We Are.” Let me start with a question — something simple, but something every one of us feels at some point: Have you ever wondered if you’re really loved? Not “liked,” not “appreciated,” not “tolerated”… but genuinely, deeply, unconditionally loved? Most people won’t say that out loud, but almost everyone feels it. We all have moments where we question our worth, or wonder if we matter, or hope someone sees us and cares. And Paul, right in the middle of Ephesians, speaks directly to that part of us — the part that needs to know we’re not alone. In Ephesians 3:17–19, Paul prays that we would be “rooted and grounded in love,” and that we would somehow begin to grasp “the breadth and length and height and depth” of the love of Christ — a love that “surpasses knowledge.” That’s not just encouragement. That’s identity. That’s who we are. We are loved. Rooted and grounded — those are foundation words. Paul is saying love isn’t just something God feels toward you. It’s the ground you stand on. It’s the soil your life grows out of. It’s the anchor that holds you steady when everything else feels uncertain. And he doesn’t describe God’s love with small words. He uses words with size — breadth, length, height, depth — like he’s trying to stretch our imagination far enough to understand something we’ll never fully grasp. Because God’s love isn’t fragile. It isn’t conditional. It isn’t based on how well you’re doing or how strong you feel. It’s bigger than your past, stronger than your fears, and deeper than anything you’ve ever walked through. Let me bring this into real life for a moment. There have been days — and you’ve had them too — where I didn’t feel very lovable. Maybe I was tired, maybe I was frustrated, maybe I wasn’t proud of how I handled something. And in those moments, it’s easy to think God must feel the same way about us that we feel about ourselves. But He doesn’t. His love isn’t a reaction to our behavior. It’s a commitment rooted in His character. I remember a morning not too long ago when everything felt heavy. I was running on fumes, trying to get through the day, and somewhere in the middle of all that noise, God reminded me: “Mike, you’re loved. Not because you’re doing great. Not because you’re strong. Not because you’re getting everything right. You’re loved because that’s who you are in Christ.” And that’s true for you too. So whatever today looks like — whether you’re confident or uncertain, whether you’re carrying joy or carrying weight — remember this: you are loved with a love that surpasses knowledge. A love that doesn’t shrink. A love that doesn’t fade. A love that doesn’t depend on your performance. A love that holds you steady. That’s who you are. Thanks for listening… and keep Choosing Love Today.  

Ephesians – Part 1 -  “Who We Are: Chosen, Seen, and Called” Hi everyone.  Today, we are starting a new mini-series of messages sub-titled “Who We Are”. These mini-messages are simple reminders of who we are in Christ. They're short reflections that help us pause, look inward, and see ourselves the way God sees us. Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you’re just… overlooked? Not forgotten, exactly — just kind of lost in the shuffle. Life gets busy, people get loud, responsibilities pile up, and before long you start wondering if anyone really sees what you’re carrying. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re in good company — because one of the most overlooked people in Scripture was David before he ever became king. When Samuel came to anoint the next king of Israel, Jesse lined up all the sons he thought looked the part. Strong ones. Impressive ones. The ones who fit the mold. And David? He wasn’t even invited to the lineup. He was out in the field doing the quiet work nobody noticed. But God noticed. And when Samuel asked, “Are these all your sons?” Jesse had to admit, “Well… there’s still the youngest.” The one nobody expected. The one nobody chose. The one nobody saw. And that’s exactly where God stepped in. Ephesians 1 tells us that in Christ, we are chosen — not because we look the part, not because we earned it, not because we impressed anyone, but because God sees what others overlook. He sees the heart. He sees the quiet work. He sees the faithfulness that nobody applauds. Maybe today you needed that reminder. Maybe you’ve been doing the right things in the quiet places. Maybe you’ve been faithful when nobody was watching. Maybe you’ve been carrying something heavy and wondering if anyone sees it. And yes, it hurts when nobody notices, or when you think nobody notices, but God sees it and God sees you. And just like David, you are chosen, blessed, adopted, redeemed, and called — not someday, not eventually, but right now, in Christ. So today, you need to walk like someone who’s already chosen. Listen to me....you need to think like someone who’s already seen. Live like someone who’s already called. Because that’s exactly who you are… in Christ.   And Keep Choosing Love Today.

In this first part of our Ephesians overview, we explore one of the most foundational truths of the Christian life: who we are in Christ. Paul doesn’t begin his letter by correcting problems or addressing conflict — he begins by reminding believers of their identity, their blessing, and their calling.  This episode walks through Ephesians chapters 1–4 with a clear, encouraging, story‑driven approach. We talk about spiritual identity, the blessings God has already placed in us, the clarity Paul prays for, and the practical way we “walk worthy” of the calling we’ve received. If you’ve ever struggled with confidence, purpose, direction, or understanding what God is doing in your life, this message will help you see your faith with fresh eyes. Ephesians Part 1 sets the foundation. Part 2 will build on it with clarity, strength, marriage, family, and spiritual sight.

Galatians— Faith, Not Law   "What Faith Really Is"  Before we close this Galatians mini-series, I want to talk plainly about something Paul refuses to soften on....and that's faith. Not rules. Not performance. Not religious pressure, but Faith. Because if you miss this, you miss the whole book of Galatians. Paul watched the Galatians drift from grace into rule-keeping. They started trusting their effort more than God’s power. They started measuring their spiritual life by what they did instead of who they trusted. So let’s slow down and get this right. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” That’s beautiful — but let’s put it in real life language:  Faith is choosing to trust God with what you cannot see yet. It’s choosing to believe He’s working even when you don’t feel it. It’s choosing to take the next step even when you don’t know how it will turn out. Faith isn’t pretending. Faith isn’t forcing yourself to feel strong. Faith isn’t acting like everything is fine.  Faith is trust — not performance. And here’s the part we don’t like to admit: ⭐ Faith grows when life stretches you. Not when everything is easy. Not when everything is predictable. Not when you feel in control. Faith grows when you’re tired. Faith grows when you’re unsure. Faith grows when you’re praying about something you cannot fix. Faith grows when God asks you to trust Him deeper than you did yesterday. Let me give you a picture.  Faith Is Like a Muscle Do you realize that worry is a sin? It's basically practical atheism. What that means is …..at that moment, in that situation your saying you don't believe God (if you believe in one) is big enough to handle your problem. How crazy does that sound? The God who created the universe can't handle your problem. But in order for you to grow your faith you have to treat it like a muscle. A muscle only grows when it’s challenged. When it’s pushed. When it’s stretched. Nobody builds muscle by sitting still — and nobody builds faith by avoiding the places where trust is required. That’s why Paul is so firm with the Galatians. He’s not angry — he’s urgent. He’s saying: “Don’t go back to rules. Don’t go back to performance. Don’t go back to trying to earn what God already gave you.” Because rules can’t produce faith. Pressure can’t produce faith. The law can’t produce faith.  Only grace can. So let me ask you — directly, clearly, gently: Where is your faith being stretched right now? What part of your life feels uncertain? And what would it look like to trust God with that one thing — not everything, just that one thing? Faith doesn’t grow all at once. It grows one day at a time. One choice at a time. One step at a time. And my dear friends… whoever’s listening — God isn’t asking you to perform for Him. He’s asking you to trust Him. Thanks for listening to this Galatians mini-series. Keep enduring, hold the faith… and keep Choosing Love Today.

Galatians – Faith, Not Law   "The Heart of the Problem"  As we move deeper into Galatians, Paul keeps circling back to one truth the Galatians struggled to accept: the law can tell you what’s wrong, but it can’t make you right. And that’s where so many of us get stuck. We think rules will fix us. We think pressure will change us. We think guilt will motivate us. We think trying harder will finally make everything click. But Paul says something bold — and he says it without apology:  The law can reveal sin, but it cannot remove it. The law can diagnose the problem, but it cannot heal the heart. The law can expose the wound, but it cannot restore the soul. Only grace can do that. Let me give you a picture.  The Mirror Have you ever looked in a mirror and seen something wrong — maybe dirt on your face, or a stain on your shirt? The mirror shows the problem. But the mirror can’t fix it. You can stare at it. You can analyze it. You can get frustrated with it. You can try harder to “look better.” But the mirror has no power to clean you. It can only reveal what needs to be cleaned. That’s the law. The law shows you the truth — but it cannot change you. Grace is what cleans you. Grace is what restores you. Grace is what transforms you. Paul isn’t tearing down the law — he’s putting it in its proper place. The law is a mirror. Grace is the water. Faith is the step you take toward the One who can actually make you new. So let me say this plainly:  Rules can’t change your heart. Only Jesus can. Rules can’t produce love. Rules can’t produce joy. Rules can’t produce peace. Rules can’t produce transformation. Only grace — received by faith — can do that. So today, instead of trying harder… trust deeper. Instead of performing… receive. Instead of measuring yourself… rest in the One who already made you His. Thanks for listening to this Galatians mini-series. Keep trusting, keep growing… and it will help you to Keep Choosing Love Today.    

Galatians — Faith, Not Laws --  The Law Can’t Change You  As we walk through Galatians, Paul keeps pressing one truth the Galatians struggled to accept: the law can reveal the problem, but it cannot fix the problem. And that’s where so many of us get tangled up. We think rules will make us better. We think pressure will make us stronger. We think guilt will make us change. We think trying harder will finally make everything click, But Paul says something bold — and he says it without apology: The law can expose sin, but it cannot heal the heart. Let me give you a picture. The X-Ray If you’ve ever broken a bone, you know what an X-ray does. You sit there, the technician positions your arm or your leg, the machine clicks — and suddenly the truth is right there on the screen. The X-ray shows the fracture. It shows the damage. It shows what’s wrong. But the X-ray cannot heal you. You can stare at it. You can study it. You can point at it. You can get emotional about it. You can even try harder to “feel better.” But the X-ray has zero power to fix the break. It can reveal the problem… but it cannot repair it. And here’s the deeper truth:  The X-ray doesn’t just show the break — it shows you your need. It shows you that something deeper has to happen. It shows you that you need a healer, not a picture. It shows you that information isn’t transformation. That’s the law. The law shows you the truth — but it cannot change you. The law exposes the wound — but it cannot restore the heart. The law diagnoses the issue — but it cannot heal the soul. Only grace can do that. Only Jesus can do that. Only the Spirit can do that. Paul isn’t tearing down the law — he’s putting it in its proper place. The law is the X-ray. Grace is the healer. Faith is the step you take toward the One who can actually make you whole. And here’s where this gets personal: ⭐ Some of us are living our spiritual lives just staring at the X-ray. We keep looking at what’s wrong. We keep replaying our failures. We keep measuring our weakness. We keep diagnosing ourselves over and over again. But staring at the X-ray doesn’t heal the break. And staring at the law doesn’t heal the heart. So let me say this plainly:  Rules can’t change your heart. Only Jesus can. Rules can’t produce love. Rules can’t produce joy. Rules can’t produce peace. Rules can’t produce transformation. Only grace — received by faith — can do that. So today, instead of trying harder… trust deeper. Instead of performing… receive. Instead of measuring yourself… rest in the One who already made you His. And thank you for listening to this series of messages from the Book of Galatians on the importance of developing a deep faith in our Lord. When you keep trusting and keep growing….. it's easier to keep Choosing Love Today.

Galatians: Faith, Not Law – What Grace Produces  So, all week we've been talking about grace and what it has done for your past...but what can it do for your future? You know what is the benefit of you growing in grace? Well, let me ask you something — have you ever noticed how real growth sneaks up on you? You know, you look back and realize, “I’m not who I used to be.” Not because you tried harder… but because something changed inside you. That’s what Paul is trying to show the Galatians. They were trying to perform their way into spiritual maturity. Trying to earn what God had already given. Trying to finish in the flesh what began in the Spirit. But grace doesn’t just save you — grace grows you. Grace doesn’t just forgive your past — grace shapes your future. Grace doesn’t just clean you up — grace produces something new in you. Paul calls it the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And here’s the key: Fruit doesn’t grow because the tree tries harder. Fruit grows because the tree is connected to the right source. Let me give you a picture. ⭐ The Garden Hose Have you ever tried to water your yard with a hose that wasn’t connected? You pick the hose up. You walk across the yard. You squeeze the handle. Nothing comes out. You shake it. You twist it. You try again with determination. Still nothing. Because effort can’t make water flow. Only connection can.....That’s grace. Trying harder is you squeezing the handle. Grace is God turning on the water. When you’re connected to the Spirit, something starts flowing that wasn’t there before — strength, patience, kindness, peace. Not because you forced it… but because you’re connected to the source that produces it. Rules produce pressure. Grace produces fruit. Rules produce guilt. Grace produces freedom. Rules produce exhaustion. Grace produces transformation. So, here’s the truth about “What Grace Produces”: ⭐ Grace doesn’t just change what you believe — it changes who you become. And my friends… that’s what Paul wants for the Galatians. And that’s what God wants for you. And that makes it a whole lot easier to Keep Choosing Love Today.  

Galatians — Faith, Not Law    “Trust Over Trying”  As Paul writes to the Galatians, he keeps pointing them back to one simple truth: you don’t grow by trying harder — you grow by trusting deeper. And that’s a hard shift for most of us, because we’re used to fixing things ourselves. We’re used to pushing. We’re used to performing. We’re used to proving. We’re used to thinking that spiritual strength comes from effort. But Paul says something different — something freeing: The Christian life isn’t powered by your effort. It’s powered by the Spirit. Let me give you a picture.  The Dead Battery If you’ve ever gone out to your car and heard that awful clicking sound when you turn the key, you know the feeling. The battery’s dead. The car won’t start. And no matter how much you want it to start… it won’t. You can sit there and turn the key harder. You can pump the gas. You can get frustrated. You can try again and again. But none of that will bring the engine to life. Because effort can’t revive a dead battery. You need a power source outside yourself. You need a jump. You need something stronger than your effort. That’s what Paul is saying. Trying harder doesn’t produce spiritual life.......Trusting God does. The Galatians were trying to “jump-start” their spiritual life with rules, pressure, and performance. But Paul reminds them — and reminds us — that real growth comes from the Spirit, not from human effort. Trying harder may feel spiritual…(and it might even make you feel good) but it doesn’t produce spiritual power.......Only God can do that. And here’s the part we don’t like to admit:  Some of us are sitting in the driver’s seat, turning the key over and over, hoping effort will do what only God can do. We’re trying to fix our anxiety with effort. Trying to fix our habits with effort. Trying to fix our relationships with effort. Trying to fix our spiritual life with effort. But effort can’t revive what’s dead. Only the Spirit can bring life. So let me ask you gently: Where are you trying to “turn the key” in your life right now? Where are you pushing, straining, performing, or forcing something that only God can empower? Because.......(listen to me) the Christian life isn’t about trying harder. It’s about trusting deeper. It’s about letting God supply the power you don’t have. It’s about letting the Spirit do what your effort never could. It’s about receiving instead of performing. I think that's where the phrase “Let go and let God originated from”.   Thanks for listening in today. I know there are people who need to hear this little message. Won't you share this with them? Until tomorrow....Keep trusting, keep growing… and keep Choosing Love Today.  

Galatians— Faith, Not Law –  "Why Rules Can’t Save You" Hi everyone!  Welcome to this week's new mini-series of messages titled: "Grace Over Rules". If you listened to yesterday's podcast, which you can listen to on your favorite podcast platform, you know we just started in the Book of Galatians. In this letter to the church of Galatia, Paul writes to them because the churches in the area were facing a theological crisis. There were legalistic leaders still insisting that Christians must still keep the Jewish Law. Paul wrote this letter to emphasize our freedom in Christ.   So, having said that, let me ask you...Have you ever tried so hard to “do everything right” that you ended up feeling worse instead of better? Most of us have. And that’s exactly where the Galatians found themselves. They started with Jesus. They started with grace. They started with freedom. But somewhere along the way, somebody convinced them that real spirituality meant adding a few extra rules… just to “make sure” they were really saved. And brother, that’s a trap people still fall into today. Because rules feel safe. Rules feel tangible. Rules feel like progress. Rules feel like control. But rules can’t save you. Rules can’t change you. Rules can’t make you righteous. Rules can’t give you peace....Only Jesus can. Paul writes Galatians with the urgency of a man watching people he loves drift back into slavery. He says in chapter 3:3.....“Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by the flesh?” In other words: “Why are you trying to earn what God already gave you?” And that’s the heartbeat of this whole mini-series. Because grace isn’t God lowering the bar. Grace is God removing the bar entirely — and replacing it with a cross. Grace doesn’t say, “Try harder.” Grace says, “Trust deeper.” Grace doesn’t say, “Fix yourself.” Grace says, “Let Jesus transform you.” Grace doesn’t say, “Prove your worth.” Grace says, “Receive Mine.” Let me give you a picture. Have you ever typed the wrong password into your computer? You try it once. You try it again. You try it slower. You try it faster. You try it with confidence. You try it with frustration. But no matter how many times you enter it… the screen still won’t unlock. That’s what rule-keeping does. You can try harder. You can try cleaner. You can try more consistently. You can try with more sincerity. But rules will never unlock salvation. They’re the wrong password. Grace is the only password that works. Grace is the only thing that opens the door. Grace is the only thing that gives access. Grace is the only thing that gets you in. Rules give you the illusion of progress — but grace is the only thing that actually sets you free. So, as we begin this Galatians mini-series, here’s the truth we’re going to come back to again and again: Rules can guide you, but only grace can save you. Rules can shape behavior, but only grace can change the heart. Rules can modify your actions, but only grace can make you new. This week, we’re going to walk through what Paul told the Galatians — and what he’s still telling us today: Stop trying. Start trusting. Grace over rules. It's all about Faith, not law. My friends… that’s where freedom begins.....and that's why you should Choose Love Today.

Have you ever tried so hard to “do everything right” that you ended up feeling worse instead of better? That’s exactly what happened to the believers in Galatia. They started with Jesus, started with grace, started with freedom — but somewhere along the way, they drifted back into rule‑keeping, pressure, and performance. In this episode, we explore Paul’s urgent message: rules can guide you, but they can’t save you. Trying harder doesn’t unlock peace, joy, or transformation. Only grace does. Using a simple everyday picture — entering the wrong password over and over — we look at why human effort can never open the door to salvation or spiritual growth. Grace is the only password that works. If you’ve ever felt worn out from trying to be “good enough,” this message will breathe fresh hope into your walk with Jesus. Freedom doesn’t come from striving… it comes from trusting. This is the first step in our Galatians journey: Saved by grace. Not the law. And Keep Choosing Love Today.

Have you ever faced something that made you feel like you needed strength you didn’t have? Most of us have. Life has a way of handing us moments that feel bigger than our confidence, heavier than our energy, and more complicated than our plans. And when you’re tired or stretched thin, standing firm can just feel impossible. The church in Corinth knew that feeling well. Corinth wasn’t just messy — it was exhausted. They had conflict. They had division. They had immaturity. They had misunderstandings. They had people pulling in different directions. And they had a pastor, Paul, trying to hold them together from miles away. After addressing all the issues — the pride, the comparison, the lack of love, the misuse of gifts — Paul closes the letter with something simple but powerful: He says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” in verse 13. This wasn’t written to individuals. It was written to a church. Stand firm — together. Be strong — together. Be courageous — together. Stay faithful — together. Because messy churches don’t need perfect people… they need committed people. People who stay. People who show up. People who love through the mess. People who stand when things get complicated. And maybe that’s the reminder we need today. Life gets loud. Faith gets tested. Relationships get strained. Church gets complicated. People get messy. And sometimes you feel like you’re standing in the middle of it with shaky knees. But grace gives us the strength to stand. Paul follows that command with something that ties the whole letter together in chapter 16:14 – “Do everything in love.” He didn't some things. He didn't say church things. And not spiritual things. He said.....Everything. Love is the posture. Love is the anchor. Love is the strength behind the courage. Love is the glue that holds messy people together. Let me ask you: Where do you need to stand firm today? Where do you need courage? Where do you need strength? Where do you need love to lead the way instead of frustration or fear? Where is God inviting you to stay steady instead of stepping back? Carry this with you as we close the mini-series: Grace doesn’t just clean the mess… Grace helps us stand in the middle of it. You’re loved. You’re called. You’re equipped. And you’re not standing alone.   And that's how you Keep Choosing Love Today!  

Here the big question for the day....have you ever loved someone who makes things difficult… and you wonder how to keep loving them? Most of us have. Loving people is easy......when they’re easy. But loving people who frustrate you, disappoint you, or push your buttons — that’s where things get real tough. And that’s exactly where the church in Corinth found itself. Corinth wasn’t a calm church. It wasn’t a quiet church. It wasn’t a mature church. It was a messy church. People were arguing. People were dividing. People were competing and people were keeping score. And right in the middle of all that noise, Paul writes one of the most famous chapters in the Bible — 1 Corinthians 13. We hear it at weddings, but Paul didn’t write it for romance. He wrote it for rescue. He wrote it for a church that was falling apart. He says: Love is patient. Love is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t boast. Love isn’t proud. Love doesn’t dishonor others. Love isn’t self-seeking. Love isn’t easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. This isn’t poetry — it’s correction. It’s Paul saying, “This is what you’re missing.” And maybe this is what we’re missing too. My friends, love isn’t a feeling — it’s a choice. Love isn’t soft — it’s strong. Love isn’t passive — it’s active. Love isn’t sentimental — it’s sacrificial. Love is what holds messy people together. And here’s the part we forget: Paul wrote this to Christians. Not unbelievers. Not outsiders. Not strangers. He wrote it to people who already knew Jesus… but didn’t know how to love each other. Let me ask you a few questions: Where do you need more patience today? Where do you need to show more kindness? Where do you need to exhibit less pride? Where do you need to let go of a record of wrongs? Where do you need to choose love instead of waiting to feel it? Because here’s the truth: Gifts can impress people. Knowledge can inform people. Talent can attract people. But only love can transform people. Paul ends the chapter with three words that still shake the room: “Love never fails.” Did you hear that”.......”Love never fails.” Maybe you need to write this on a 3 x 5 card and carry that around in your pocket for awhile until you remember it consistently. Carry this with you today: If you want to be strong… love. If you want to be mature… love. If you want to be Christ-like… love. Grace in the mess looks like love that holds.   That's another way of.......Choosing Love Today!      

Have you ever felt unsure about how your gifts fit into the church… or wondered if they even matter? Most of us have. It’s easy to look around and think, “Well, I’m not a pastor… I’m not a teacher… I’m not a singer… so maybe what I bring isn’t that important.” And when you feel that way long enough, you either pull back or you start comparing yourself to everyone else. Believe it or not, that’s exactly what happened in Corinth. Corinth was a gifted church — wildly gifted. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:7 that they “did not lack any spiritual gift.” That’s impressive. But instead of using those gifts to build each other up, they started using them to build themselves up. Some were showing off. Some were competing. Some were dividing into little groups based on who had the “better” gift. And Paul steps in and says, “No… this isn’t what gifts are for.” In chapter 12, he reminds them that the Holy Spirit gives gifts for the common good — not for status, not for spotlight, not for ego. Gifts are tools to be used for service, not trophies to try and make yourself look good. They’re meant to strengthen the church, not fracture it. Bottom line: they are meant for you to use to help others, not just help yourself. And maybe that’s something we need to hear today. Because God has given you gifts — real ones. Maybe you teach. Maybe you encourage. Maybe you serve quietly behind the scenes. Maybe you give generously. Maybe you pray faithfully. Maybe you listen deeply. Maybe you show up when others don’t. But those gifts weren’t given to make you impressive… they were given to make the church stronger. Paul says we’re one body with many parts. Different roles. Different strengths. Different functions. But one purpose: to build each other up. Let me ask you: Where have you felt overlooked? Have you been tempted to compare your gift to someone else’s? Where have you forgotten that your gift is needed? Paul ends this section with something beautiful: “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31) What’s the “most excellent way”? It's love. Love is the fuel behind every gift. Love is the difference between noise and meaning. Love is what turns messy gifts into beautiful ministry. Carry this with you today: Your gift is not small. Your gift is not accidental. Your gift is not about you. Your gift is grace in the mess and take it with you.....not just in the church.   And that's another way to Keep Choosing Love Today!  

Have you ever been in a situation where everyone seemed to have a different opinion, and you weren’t sure which voice to trust? Maybe at work. Maybe in your family. Maybe even in your own thoughts. It’s exhausting when the noise around you pulls in different directions and you’re left trying to sort out what’s actually wise, helpful, or true. Corinth lived in that tension every single day. Their city was loud — full of philosophers, influencers, spiritual leaders, cultural pressure, and moral confusion. Everyone had a message. Everyone had a platform. Everyone had a “better way.” And those voices didn’t stay outside the church. They slipped in. They shaped opinions. They created tension. They made people choose sides. Some followed one leader, some followed another, and some weren’t sure who to follow at all. Paul stepped into that noise and didn’t try to out-shout it. He didn’t try to win an argument. He didn’t try to impress anyone. He simply pointed them back to a way of living that was quieter, steadier, and rooted in love. A better way — not because it was trendy, but because it was true. He reminded them that unity mattered more than winning. Humility mattered more than being right. And love mattered more than any loud opinion demanding attention. And that’s still true today. We live in a world full of competing voices — social media, news, friends, family, trends, expectations. Everyone has a take. Everyone has a solution. Everyone has a “better way.” But not every voice leads to peace. Not every voice leads to unity. Not every voice leads to love. Some voices stir anxiety. Some stir division. Some stir pressure. And some just make you feel like you’re not enough. Maybe you’ve been pulled by too many voices lately. Maybe you’ve felt the tension of trying to please everyone. Maybe you’ve been caught between what culture says and what your heart knows is right. What would it look like to pause and ask, “Which voice leads me toward grace? Which voice leads me toward peace? Which voice leads me toward love?” The better way isn’t louder. It’s quieter. It’s patient. It’s humble. It’s rooted in kindness. It’s the way Paul pointed Corinth toward. It’s the way Jesus lived. And it’s the way grace invites us to walk — not perfectly, but intentionally. So today, if you feel pulled in different directions, take a breath. Slow down. Listen for the voice that leads you toward love. That’s the better way. And that’s how you keep choosing love today — even when the world is loud.

So, let me ask you...have you ever had one of those days where you catch yourself thinking, “Why does this have to be so hard?” I don't mean it's crisis-hard. And not life-falling-apart hard. Just the everyday stuff that wears you down a little at a time. You know – Misunderstandings. Expectations. Trying to grow while feeling pulled in two directions. Those honest struggles that don’t make headlines but still take up space in your heart and your head. Corinth had plenty of those moments. Their church wasn’t collapsing — it was simply full of people trying to grow while still wrestling with old habits, new pressures, and a culture that pulled at them from every angle. They had spiritual gifts but didn’t always use them wisely. They had passion but not always patience. They had enthusiasm but sometimes lacked maturity. They were trying… and sometimes trying creates friction. And that’s not much different from us. If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you want to be and who you currently are, you’re standing right where the Corinthians stood. If you’ve ever felt confused by mixed messages — culture saying one thing, your faith saying another — you’re walking the same road they walked. If you’ve ever felt like your spiritual growth is slower than you hoped, you’re in familiar company. Paul didn’t scold them for struggling. He didn’t shame them for not being further along. He guided them. He reminded them that growth isn’t instant. It’s layered. It’s uneven. It’s honest. And it takes grace — grace from God, grace toward others, and grace toward yourself. Maybe you’re carrying an honest struggle today. Something small but persistent. Something you don’t talk about much. Something that keeps showing up in your thoughts. What would it look like to bring that into the light — not with embarrassment, but with honesty? What would it look like to say, “I’m still growing, and that’s okay”? Grace doesn’t rush you. Grace doesn’t shame you. Grace doesn’t compare your pace to someone else’s. Grace simply says, “Keep going. You’re not alone.” And maybe that’s the reminder you need today — that your struggle doesn’t disqualify you. It doesn’t make you less loved. It doesn’t make you less valuable. It simply makes you human. And God has always worked beautifully with honest, imperfect, still-growing people. So today, if you find yourself wrestling with something — big or small — don’t hide it. Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t pretend it’s not there. Just acknowledge it. Bring it to God. And let grace steady your steps. That’s another way of choosing love today — even in the middle of honest struggles.  

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to forget that the people around you are just… people? Real people. Not the version you imagine. Not the version you expect. Believe it or not, they're just regular people trying to figure life out the best they can. Corinth was full of real people too. They weren't polished and not perfect....and not spiritually impressive. Just people who brought their personalities, their pasts, their habits, and their blind spots right into the church. And honestly, that’s really not much different from today. We all walk into relationships carrying something—old wounds, strong opinions, insecurities, hopes, fears. And sometimes those things bump into each other. Paul wasn’t writing to a group of spiritual superheroes. He was writing to folks who were struggling with division, pride, confusion, and competing voices. People who were trying to follow Jesus while still being pulled by the culture around them. People who didn’t always get it right. People who sometimes made a mess of things. Does any of this sound familiar? If you’ve ever felt frustrated with someone… or disappointed… or confused by their choices… or even hurt by their words, you’re in good company. The Corinthians felt all of that too. And Paul didn’t shame them for being human. He didn’t tell them to “get it together.” He reminded them of grace. He reminded them that God works with real people, not ideal versions of them. Maybe that’s something you need today. Maybe you’ve been expecting someone to be more than they are. Or maybe you’ve been expecting yourself to be more than you are. Maybe you’ve been carrying frustration or disappointment that’s been weighing you down. What would it look like to pause and remember: “They’re human. I’m human. And God meets us right here.” Grace doesn’t ignore the mess. It steps into it. It steadies us. It softens us. It helps us see people the way God sees them—real, imperfect, valuable, and worth loving. So today, as you move through your world, maybe take a breath and give someone a little room to be human. And maybe give yourself that same room. You don’t have to fix everything. You don’t have to carry everything. You don’t have to be perfect. Just choose to see real people… and respond with real grace. That’s another small way of Choosing Love Today.    

Corinth wasn’t a disaster — it was a normal church full of real people trying to follow Jesus in the middle of real life. In this episode, we look at Paul not as a distant theologian, but as a pastor who loved a messy church enough to tell the truth… and loved them enough to stay. If you’ve ever served in a church, volunteered, led a small group, or simply tried to follow Jesus around other humans, you already know the truth: church can be wonderful and exhausting, sometimes on the same day. Paul understood that. And instead of giving up, he leaned in with love, patience, and clarity. This message is for anyone who’s ever wondered why church feels harder than it looks on Sunday mornings — and why God still chooses to work through imperfect people anyway.

As we close out this Enduring Faith series, I want to come back to something Paul has been teaching us all along through Romans: faith isn’t just what you believe — it’s what carries you. It’s what steadies you when life shakes. It’s what anchors you when your circumstances shift. It’s what reminds you that God is still working, even when you can’t see how. Romans has walked us through some big truths. We’ve talked about grace that meets us where we are. We’ve talked about strength in our weakness. We’ve talked about hope that doesn’t disappoint. We’ve talked about the Spirit praying for us when the words won’t come. And woven through every one of those messages is this simple reminder: God is faithful, and He is with you. Paul never pretends life is easy. He doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle. He doesn’t hide the tension between what we feel and what we believe. Instead, he shows us that faith is something you live — day by day, step by step, moment by moment. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the One who does. And maybe that’s the biggest takeaway from this whole series. Faith isn’t loud. Faith isn’t flashy. Faith it's definitely not perfect. Faith is steady. Faith is patient. Faith is enduring. It keeps going when life gets heavy. It keeps believing when circumstances get confusing. It keeps hoping when the future feels uncertain. It keeps leaning on God even when your own strength runs out. And if you’ve been walking through these mini messages every day with me, I hope you’ve felt that. I hope you’ve sensed God reminding you that He hasn’t left you. I hope you’ve seen that your weakness doesn’t disqualify you. I hope you’ve realized that your questions don’t scare Him. And I hope you’ve discovered that faith isn’t something you perform — it’s something you receive. As we wrap up this series, let me leave you with this: Whatever you’re facing today… Whatever you’re carrying… Whatever you’re hoping for… Whatever you’re afraid of… God is already in it. He’s already working. He’s already strengthening you. He’s already guiding you. And He’s already preparing the next step. Romans has shown us that faith isn’t just about surviving — it’s about growing. It’s about becoming. It’s about learning to trust God more deeply than you ever have before.

Have you ever wanted to have a conversation with someone, but were at a loss with what words to say? Well, there’s a part of Romans 8 that has stopped me in my tracks, the first time I can remember reading it. Paul says, “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve had plenty of moments in my life where I didn’t know what to pray. Not because I didn’t believe… but because I didn’t have the words. Life has a way of knocking the wind out of you sometimes. You get hit with something unexpected. You carry a burden that feels too heavy. You face a situation that doesn’t have a clear answer. And in those moments, prayer doesn’t always come out clean and polished. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s nothing more than sitting in the presence of God with a heart that’s too tired to speak. And Paul says… that’s okay. Because the Spirit steps in. Think about that. The God who created the universe doesn’t wait for you to come up with the perfect prayer. He doesn’t need you to sound spiritual. He doesn’t need you to impress Him. He doesn’t need you to pretend. He meets you right where you are — even when all you can offer Him is silence. There have been seasons in my life where I didn’t know what to ask God for. I didn’t know what the, so-called, “right” prayer was. I didn’t know what outcome to hope for. I just knew I needed Him. And according to Paul, that’s enough. Because the Spirit knows your heart better than you do. He knows what you’re carrying. He knows what you fear. He knows what you long for. And He takes all of that — the confusion, the pain, the hope, the uncertainty — and He brings it before the Father in a way you never could. That means you’re never praying alone. Even when you don’t feel strong. Even when you don’t feel spiritual. Even when you don’t feel like you have the words. And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe you’re facing something that doesn’t have a neat solution. Maybe you’re carrying something you haven’t told anyone. Maybe you’re trying to pray, but the words just won’t come. If that’s you, hear this: Your silence is not a failure. Your confusion is not a weakness. Your lack of words is not a barrier. The Spirit is praying for you. Right now. Right where you are. And that’s another way we keep… Choosing Love Today.    

There’s a line in Romans 8 that’s always meant a lot to me. Paul says that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” Not in our strength. Not in our victories. Not in our polished moments. In our weakness. That tells me something important: God isn’t waiting for us to get it all together before He steps in. He meets us right in the middle of the struggle. And if we’re honest, most of us spend more time in the struggle than we do in the victory. We live in a world that celebrates strength. We admire people who look like they have everything under control. We applaud confidence, success, and stability. But Paul reminds us that weakness isn’t a failure — it’s an invitation. It’s the place where God does some of His best work. Because when we’re weak, we’re finally honest. When we’re weak, we’re finally listening. When we’re weak, we’re finally open enough for God to work. And here’s the part that gets me: Paul doesn’t say the Spirit fixes our weakness. He says the Spirit helps us in it. That means God doesn’t always remove the struggle — sometimes He strengthens you inside it. Sometimes He gives you endurance. Sometimes He gives you clarity. Sometimes He gives you peace that doesn’t make sense. And sometimes He gives you just enough strength for the next step. Not the whole journey. Just the next step. I’ve learned in my 73 years that most of the time, God doesn’t hand us a map. He hands us a moment. He gives us enough grace for today. Enough wisdom for the next decision. Enough courage to keep moving when we’d rather quit. And that’s how He grows us — not by making life easy, but by walking with us through the hard parts. And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe you’re worn down. Maybe you’re carrying more than you want to admit. Maybe you’re trying to be strong for everyone else, and you’re running out of strength for yourself. If that’s you, hear this: God isn’t disappointed in your weakness. He’s present in it. He’s not asking you to pretend. He’s not asking you to push through on your own. He’s not asking you to be the hero of your story. He’s asking you to trust Him — right where you are, with whatever you have left. And sometimes, that simple act of trust becomes the turning point. So today, if you feel weak… you’re in the perfect place for God to work. And that’s another way we keep… Choosing Love Today.  

One of the things I’ve learned about God is that He often begins His work in our lives through people we’d never expect. Not the leaders. Not the experts. Not the people with titles. Sometimes it’s the quiet voices, the overlooked people, the ones who seem small in the story. There’s a moment in 2 Kings 5 that shows this so clearly. It’s the story of Naaman — a powerful military commander, respected, successful, and trusted by his king. Naaman had everything going for him… except one thing. He had leprosy. And in that culture, leprosy wasn’t just a sickness. It was a sentence. It was fear. It was isolation. It was something no amount of success could fix. But here’s where the story takes a surprising turn. In Naaman’s household, there was a young servant girl — a girl taken captive from Israel. She had no status. No authority. No influence. She was invisible in the world’s eyes. But she knew something Naaman didn’t. She knew there was a prophet in Israel who served a God who could heal. And she spoke up. Just a simple sentence. Just a quiet suggestion. Just a small voice in a big house. And that tiny moment changed everything. Naaman listened. Naaman traveled. Naaman sought out Elisha. And when Elisha told him to wash in the Jordan River, Naaman resisted — because it sounded too simple, too ordinary, too small. But eventually he obeyed. And he was healed. A powerful man’s life was transformed… because of a quiet voice he could have easily ignored. And I think that’s how God still works today. Sometimes the encouragement we need comes from someone we didn’t expect. Sometimes the wisdom we need comes from a small voice. Sometimes the turning point in our story begins with a simple suggestion, a quiet nudge, or a moment that doesn’t feel big at all. A transformed life doesn’t always start with dramatic moments. Sometimes it starts with listening. Sometimes it starts with humility. Sometimes it starts with paying attention to the small voices God places around us. In the very first episode of Choosing Love Today I said that “Life is very simple, it's just not easy.” As humans, we have an uncanny way of making things more difficult than they need to be. Often times, most things can be figured out with common sense (or what I call “uncommon sense”). So today, don’t overlook the people who seem small. Don’t ignore the quiet encouragement. Don’t dismiss the simple suggestion. I've learned from my 73 short years on this planet that I've learned from a lot of people older and younger and and have it true that most people aren't as wise as they think they are....that's why it's always best to listen twice as much as you talk. God has a long history of using unexpected people to begin unexpected transformations.   And that's.......all part of Choosing Love Today!

There was a time in my life when I used to send a card or a handwritten note to someone every week. Nothing fancy. Nothing long. Just a simple message to let them know I was thinking about them or praying for them. Even today I like sending birthday cards instead of emails or messages to those I'm closest to. It didn’t feel like much. Honestly, most weeks it felt small… almost insignificant. But every now and then, I’d hear back from someone who said, “You have no idea how much that meant,” or “I really needed that today,” or “That came at the perfect time.” And it reminded me of something I think we forget: Encouragement is a ministry.   There’s a man in the New Testament who lived this out better than almost anyone. His name was Joseph… but the apostles didn’t call him that. They gave him a nickname. They called him Barnabas — which means “Son of Encouragement.”(Acts 4:36) Think about that. His life was so marked by lifting people up that they literally renamed him. Barnabas wasn’t the loud preacher. He wasn’t the miracle worker. He wasn’t the guy writing letters to churches. He was the encourager. He’s the one who stood beside Paul when everyone else was afraid of him. He’s the one who believed in John Mark when Paul didn’t. He’s the one who traveled with Paul to strengthen new believers. Barnabas changed lives with encouragement. He didn't do it with big speeches, not with dramatic moments and and not with a spotlight. He did it with simple, steady encouragement. And I think that’s something God still uses today. A text. A card. A note. A message. A small gesture that says, “You matter. I’m thinking about you. I’m praying for you.” Most of the time, you won’t know what it does. You won’t see the impact. You won’t hear the story. But every now and then… you will. And it’ll remind you that God can use the smallest things to make the biggest difference. So maybe today, think of one person. Just one. And send them a word of encouragement. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be sincere. Because God still uses encouragers. And the world still needs Barnabas'.   It's another way of Choosing Love Today!    

Have you ever noticed how God seems to love working through the small stuff? Not the big, flashy moments… but the quiet ones. The ones most people walk right past. There’s a story in the Gospel of John that’s always grabbed me. Jesus is teaching a huge crowd — thousands of people — and everyone’s hungry. The disciples are stressed, trying to figure out how to feed all these people because Jesus had just told them to feed them. And then this kid shows up. Just a kid. No title. No status. No seemingly no importance in the story, But he’s holding a small lunch. Five loaves of bread and Two fish. That’s it. In the middle of a massive need, this little lunch looks almost laughable. Insignificant. Not enough to matter. Not enough to fix anything. But Jesus takes what looks small… and turns it into something big. He blesses it. He breaks it. He multiplies it. And suddenly thousands of people are fed — not just barely fed, but fed with leftovers. And here’s the part that gets me: The miracle started with something tiny. Something so ordinary. Something most people would’ve ignored.........a kid’s lunch. I want you to think about that the nest time when your going through your day and you feel like the little things don’t matter:   How about: holding a door open for somebody and letting them go in 1st, how about letting someone merge into the lane in front of you, how about waving a “thank you” to the person that person that let you merge in to their lane. Here's a good one... send a text to someone today for no reason at all just letting them know you were thinking about them and it made you smile. Here's a hard one for a lot of people …..as you're walking, look up, and look at the person coming at you and look them in the eye and just say “hello” and give a little smile.   Now, most of the time, you'll never hear about it again. You won’t get a thank-you. You won’t get a story and you won’t get any proof that it mattered. But every now and then…just every now, you will. Every now and then someone tells you, “I really needed that today.” Or “You have no idea how much that helped.” Or “That changed my whole morning.” And suddenly you realize something: God still multiplies small things. (and I got to be a part of it). A transformed life isn’t always loud. It’s not always dramatic. It’s not always a big “before and after” kind of moment. Sometimes it’s just choosing love in the small places. Choosing kindness when nobody’s watching. Choosing patience when it’s inconvenient. Choosing to give God your “little lunch” — whatever you have — and trusting Him to do something with it. So today, don’t underestimate the small stuff. God never does. He’s been using small things to make big differences for a long, long time.   So how will you.....keep Choosing Love Today?    

There was a time in my life when I used to send a card or a handwritten note to someone every week. Nothing fancy. Nothing long. Just a simple message to let them know I was thinking about them or praying for them. Even today I like sending birthday cards instead of emails or messages to those I'm closest to. It didn’t feel like much. Honestly, most weeks it felt small… almost insignificant. But every now and then, I’d hear back from someone who said, “You have no idea how much that meant,” or “I really needed that today,” or “That came at the perfect time.” And it reminded me of something I think we forget: Encouragement is a ministry.   There’s a man in the New Testament who lived this out better than almost anyone. His name was Joseph… but the apostles didn’t call him that. They gave him a nickname. They called him Barnabas — which means “Son of Encouragement.”(Acts 4:36) Think about that. His life was so marked by lifting people up that they literally renamed him. Barnabas wasn’t the loud preacher. He wasn’t the miracle worker. He wasn’t the guy writing letters to churches. He was the encourager. He’s the one who stood beside Paul when everyone else was afraid of him. He’s the one who believed in John Mark when Paul didn’t. He’s the one who traveled with Paul to strengthen new believers. Barnabas changed lives with encouragement. He didn't do it with big speeches, not with dramatic moments and and not with a spotlight. He did it with simple, steady encouragement. And I think that’s something God still uses today. A text. A card. A note. A message. A small gesture that says, “You matter. I’m thinking about you. I’m praying for you.” Most of the time, you won’t know what it does. You won’t see the impact. You won’t hear the story. But every now and then… you will. And it’ll remind you that God can use the smallest things to make the biggest difference. So maybe today, think of one person. Just one. And send them a word of encouragement. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be sincere. Because God still uses encouragers. And the world still needs Barnabas'.   It's another way of Choosing Love Today!    

In this final week of our Enduring Faith series through Romans, we look at what a transformed life really looks like. Paul doesn’t just explain the gospel — he shows us how it reshapes our attitudes, our relationships, our choices, and the way we show love in the world around us. A transformed life isn’t about perfection. It’s about letting God renew our minds, soften our hearts, and guide our steps. In Romans 12–16, Paul gives us a picture of everyday faith — the kind that shows up in how we serve, how we forgive, how we respond to difficulty, and how we choose love when it’s not easy. This episode brings the whole Romans journey together and reminds us that real transformation begins with small steps of obedience and a heart willing to follow God wherever He leads.

I've got a little test for you....and for some of you this may be a little challenging because of your age. I want you to think back when you were a teenage...say around 14 or so years old. Do you remember looking so forward to something and how much you hated it when your plans got completely interrupted? You’re moving in one direction, life feels predictable, you’ve got a picture in your mind of how things are supposed to go… and then something unexpected drops right into the middle of your story. Something you didn’t ask for. Something you didn’t plan for. Something you don’t feel ready for. If you’ve ever felt that — you’re going to connect with Mary. Mary was a teenage girl with a simple, quiet life. She was engaged at a very young age which was common for the day. She had a future she could picture. She had plans she probably talked about with her family. And then one day an angel shows up and says, “Mary, God has chosen you. You’re going to carry the Messiah.” That wasn’t just unexpected — it was overwhelming. Mary had never asked for this. She had never prayed for this. She had never imagined this. And she certainly didn’t feel qualified for it. But here’s the part that shows you her heart: She didn’t panic. She didn’t argue and she didn’t run. She said, “Let it be unto me according to Your word.” In other words: God, if this is Your promise… I’ll trust You with it. Paul reminds us in Romans that God works all things together for good — not just the things we planned, not just the things we expected, not just the things we feel ready for. God works all things together for good, including the interruptions, the surprises, and the moments that flip your plans upside down. Maybe you’re in a time in your life like that right now. Maybe something unexpected has dropped into your life. Maybe your plans have changed. Maybe your timeline shifted. Maybe you’re facing something you didn’t see coming. And maybe — like Mary — you don’t feel ready. Mary reminds us that God’s promises don’t always come wrapped in comfort. Sometimes they come wrapped in surprise. Sometimes they come wrapped in disruption.... and sometimes they come wrapped in responsibility you didn’t ask for. But they always come with God’s presence. Mary wasn’t alone. God was with her. God guided her. God protected her. God fulfilled every single part of the promise He made. So today, let Mary remind you: God keeps His promises — even when they interrupt your plans. Even when they surprise you. Even when they stretch you. Even when they arrive in ways you didn’t expect. If God is shifting something in your life, He’s not trying to unsettle you — He’s trying to fulfill something in you. Trust Him. Lean into Him. Walk with Him. God keeps His promises.....and Keep Choosing Love Today.

I want to ask you a very pointed, direct question. I would guess every one of us, if we were honest probably has a skeleton or two in our closet...am I right? You know that one thing we really don't want anyone, as long as we live, to ever know anything about. Have that thought in your head? Have you ever made a mistake so big you thought, “Well… that’s it. I blew it. God can’t use me now”? Maybe it was a decision you regret. Maybe it was a season you wish you could erase. Maybe it’s something you still carry because you think it disqualified you. Was it a divorce, or adultery, an abortion, cheated on your taxes, grand larceny or even a murder? If you’ve ever felt that — Moses is your guy.. You can read all about this imperfect servant of God starting in the Book of Exodus and going thru Deuteronomy. Moses didn’t just make a mistake — he made a life altering one. He killed a man. And instead of facing it, he ran. He ran from Egypt, ran from his calling, ran from the life he thought he was supposed to live. He spent forty years in the desert hiding from the consequences of his own choices. Forty years is a long time to believe you’ve ruined your future. But here’s the part that shows you the heart of God: God’s promise didn’t die in Moses’ failure. God didn’t say, “Well, Moses blew it. Time to find someone else.” God didn’t cancel the calling. God didn’t withdraw the assignment. God didn’t change His mind. Paul reminds us in Romans that God’s mercy is bigger than our mistakes. God doesn’t abandon His promises because we stumble. He doesn’t rewrite His plan because we fall short. He doesn’t walk away because we’re imperfect. When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He didn’t say, “Let’s talk about what you did.” He said, “Let’s talk about what I’m still going to do through you.” Maybe you’re carrying something today — a failure, a regret, a moment you wish you could undo. Maybe you think it disqualified you. Maybe you think it pushed you too far off course. Maybe you think God moved on without you. Moses reminds you that God doesn’t cancel His promises because you did something wrong. If that were the case, God would never get anything done because none of us are perfect. Your failure isn’t final. Your regret isn’t the end. Your past doesn’t erase your calling. God kept His promise to Moses — even after forty years of hiding. And He’ll keep His promise to you. So today, let Moses remind you: God’s promise survives your mistakes. His mercy is bigger than your failure. And His calling is still alive in you. God keeps His promises....and He still loves you.   So, keep Choosing Love Today.    

I've got a good question for you today....have you ever had someone make a promise to you and then not keep it? I think we all know the answer to that, of course you have and if we're being honest, we've probably made a few promises ourselves that we haven't kept....right? I know I have. Let's not beat ourselves up too badly here. Let's give ourselves some grace and say for the sake of argument there was a good reason at the time...and there probably was, but let's ask a different question. Have you ever had someone make a promise to you that just seemed to take too long? Maybe it was a parent, a spouse or a close friend....and in your mind you uttered those words, “but they promised!” If you’ve ever felt that — you’re going to connect with Caleb. If you're not familiar with the story of Caleb, you can read about this great man of faith in the books of Numbers and Joshua. Caleb is one of the most underrated heroes in Scripture. When he was a younger man, God made him a promise: You’re going to inherit this land. Caleb believed it. He trusted it. He lived his life around it. And then… he waited. Not a year...and not five years....and not ten years. Caleb waited forty-five years for that promise. Forty-five years of wandering. Forty-five years of watching other people move forward. Forty-five years of delays, detours, and disappointments. Forty-five years of living with a promise that hadn’t happened yet. Most people would have given up. Most people would have assumed the promise expired. Most people would have believed they missed their chance......but Caleb didn’t. When he finally stood before Joshua, he didn’t say, “I hope the promise still counts.” He said, “Give me the mountain God promised me.” That’s confidence. That’s faith. That’s a man who believed God’s promise was still alive — even after decades of waiting. Caleb was faithful because he knew God. Paul says in Romans that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable. That means God doesn’t change His mind. He doesn’t cancel His promises. He doesn’t withdraw His calling. He doesn’t say, “That was for the younger version of you.” If God promised it — it’s still yours...and Caleb knew that. Maybe you’re in a time in your life where you feel like the delay has been too long. Maybe you’re wondering if the promise was for a different time and for some reason you just missed it. Maybe you’re looking at your age, your circumstances, your season, and thinking, “I guess that ship has sailed.” Caleb’s story says otherwise. Your delay is not your denial. Your waiting is not wasted. Your season does not cancel God’s promise. God wasn’t late with Caleb. God wasn’t slow. God wasn’t unsure. He was preparing Caleb for the exact moment when the promise would be fulfilled — not early, not late, but right on time. So today, let Caleb remind you: If God promised it, He would fulfill it — no matter how long it takes. Hold onto the mountain God promised you. It’s still yours. God keeps His promises. So....Keep Choosing Love Today.    

Have you ever carried something so heavy in your heart that you didn’t even know how to talk about it? Maybe it’s something you’ve thought about and prayed about for years. Maybe it’s something that hits you in quiet moments. Maybe it’s something you don’t share with many people because it feels too personal, too emotional, or too painful. If you’ve ever been there… you’re going to connect with Hannah. If you're not familiar with the story of Hannah, you read about her in the Old Testament in the Book of Samuel in the 1st and 2nd Chapters.   Now, Hannah wasn’t just waiting — she was hurting. She lived with this deep longing for a child, and every year that longing went unmet. Every year she watched other people get the blessing she was praying for. Every year she carried the same ache. And to make it worse, she lived in a home where someone reminded her of that pain constantly — little comments, little digs, little reminders that she didn’t have what she desperately wanted. That kind of waiting wears you down. It makes you question yourself. It makes you question God. It makes you wonder if anything is ever going to change. Paul says in Romans that “hope that is seen is not hope.” In other words, hope grows in the dark. Hope grows in the silence. Hope grows in the places where you feel empty, tired, and unsure. And that’s exactly where Hannah lived. One day she went to the Temple and poured her heart out so honestly that the priest thought she was drunk. That’s how deep the pain went. That’s how long she had been waiting. That’s how raw her prayers were. She wasn’t praying pretty prayers — she was praying desperate ones. And here’s the part that makes Hannah a hero: She kept showing up. She kept praying. She kept hoping. She kept trusting that God saw her — even when she didn’t feel seen. Maybe you’re carrying something like that today. Maybe you’re praying for healing. Maybe you’re praying for clarity. Maybe you’re praying for restoration in a relationship. Maybe you’re praying for a door to open that’s been closed for a long time. And maybe — like Hannah — you’re tired. Emotionally tired. Spiritually tired. Maybe you're heart tired. Hannah reminds us that your tears don’t cancel God’s faithfulness. Your emotions don’t weaken His commitment. Your discouragement doesn’t derail His plan. God wasn’t ignoring Hannah. God wasn’t dismissing her pain. God wasn’t late. He was working — quietly, slowly, faithfully — in ways she couldn’t see yet. And when the time was right, God kept His promise. God is never early, but He's never late. He is ALWAYS right on time. So today, my friends, let Hannah remind you: God keeps His promises — even when your heart is tired. Keep praying. Keep hoping. Keep trusting. God sees you...God is closer than you think....and Keep Choosing Love Today.  

Can you remember a time in your life where, maybe a parent, or someone in authority asked you to do something that you didn't understand or just didn't make any sense at all? I think all of us could probably say yes to that.   Well...Noah had that moment. God tells him, “I want you to build a boat… because I’m sending rain.” And Noah had to be thinking, “Rain? What in the world is rain?” What in the world is that supposed to mean? He had never seen it. Nobody had. The earth had never experienced it. So, God is asking Noah to prepare for something he couldn’t even picture, couldn’t explain, and couldn’t compare to anything he’d ever seen. And yet Noah kept building. Sometimes God’s promises don’t come with explanations. Sometimes they don’t come with details. Sometimes they don’t even make sense. They just come with a calling: Trust Me enough to obey even when you don’t understand. Every day Noah walked outside and saw the same dry ground. Every day he hammered another board with no sign of rain. Every day he trusted a promise that looked impossible. And people around him probably laughed, questioned him, maybe even avoided him. But Noah wasn’t building based on what he saw — he was building based on what God said. Paul reminds us in Romans that God’s faithfulness isn’t measured by speed or clarity — it’s measured by certainty. God doesn’t rush. God doesn’t panic. God doesn’t forget. When He speaks, He fulfills. When He promises, He delivers. When He begins something, He finishes it. Maybe you’re at a time in your life where God is asking you to trust something you don’t fully understand. Maybe He’s nudging you toward a step that doesn’t make sense yet. Maybe you’re waiting on something that feels slow, silent, or confusing. Noah felt that too. But God wasn’t late. God wasn’t unclear. God wasn’t absent. He was working — just not in a way Noah could see yet. And when the time was right, the sky opened, the rain fell, and the promise came to pass exactly the way God said it would. So today, let Noah remind you: My friends...Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean God isn’t in it. Just because you don’t see movement doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Just because the timeline feels slow doesn’t mean the promise is slipping away. Hold steady. Keep building. Keep trusting.   God keeps His promises....and Keep Choosing Love Today.

Today's walk thru Romans will be one that everyone should have an interest in because everyone of us have uttered the words “It's not fair” at some or time in our life. Today, I want to talk about something Paul touches on often — something every one of us has felt: and that was faith in seasons that feel unfair. And to see it clearly, I want to walk with Joseph for a moment. This is the Joseph from the Old Testament, not the Joseph that was Jesus' earthly father. You can read about the life of Joseph in the Old Testament in the Book of genesis chapters 37 through 50. Joseph’s story is one of those stories we tend to summarize too quickly. We jump from the pit to the palace and say, “See? God worked it out.” But if you slow down and actually sit inside his story, you realize Joseph spent years — not days, not weeks — years living through things that were deeply unfair. He’s betrayed by his brothers. Sold into slavery. Falsely accused of rape and thrown into prison. Forgotten by people who promised to help him. None of that was his fault. None of that was the result of bad choices. None of that was fair. And yet, right in the middle of all that unfairness, Joseph keeps choosing faith. Not loud faith. Not dramatic faith. Just steady, quiet trust in God’s presence. Paul says in Romans that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Joseph lived that long before Paul wrote it. His life is a slow, patient picture of what endurance looks like when life doesn’t make sense. And here’s what I love about Joseph: He doesn’t pretend everything is fine. He doesn’t act like the pain doesn’t matter. He doesn’t minimize what’s been done to him. But he also doesn’t let unfairness define him. He keeps serving. He keeps trusting. He keeps showing up. He keeps believing that God is still writing the story — even when the chapter he’s in feels wrong. And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe you’re dealing with something that isn’t fair. Maybe you’re carrying a weight you didn’t choose. Maybe you’re facing consequences from someone else’s decisions. Maybe you’re in a season that feels longer than you expected. My friend...If that’s you, hear this clearly: Unfair doesn’t mean abandoned. Unfair doesn’t mean forgotten. Unfair doesn’t mean God is done. Joseph eventually sees what God was doing — not just in his life, but through his life. But he didn’t see it while he was in the pit. He didn’t see it while he was in prison. He didn’t see it while he was waiting. He saw it later. And that’s often how God works. We understand the story in hindsight, not in real time. So as you move through your day today, if life feels unfair, don’t assume God has stepped back. Don’t assume your story has stalled. Don’t assume the chapter you’re in is the whole book. God is still working. God is still present. God is still shaping something in you — and through you — that you may not see yet. Enduring faith isn’t about pretending everything is fair. It’s about trusting God when it isn’t.   Thank you for taking the time to listen. My heart-felt prayer is that you would take the time to share this message with someone today and remember to always... Keep Choosing Love Today.  

In this episode, we walk through one of the most emotional sections of Romans as Paul opens his heart for Israel and reminds us that God’s faithfulness stretches farther than we can see. These chapters show us that even when people stumble, even when life gets messy, and even when the story feels unfinished, God is still keeping His promises. This is a clear, steady, down‑to‑earth look at how God’s faithfulness anchors us and why it matters for our lives today.

We’re walking through Romans together, and each day we’re taking one small piece of truth and carrying it into real life. Today, I want to talk about something Paul highlights again and again — something every believer feels at some point: faith that feels small. And to see it clearly, I want to walk with Gideon for a moment. You can read about Gideon in the Old Testament in the Book Of Judges Chapters 6-8. Gideon is not the guy you’d expect God to choose. He’s not confident. He’s not bold. He’s not standing on a mountain waiting for a mission. When we meet him, he’s hiding — literally — threshing wheat in a wine press so the enemy won’t see him. That’s not courage. That’s survival. And right there, in that hidden place, an angel shows up and says, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” If Gideon had a mirror, he would’ve checked it. “Mighty warrior? Who are you talking to?” Because Gideon doesn’t feel mighty. He doesn’t feel strong. He doesn’t feel like someone God would use.....And maybe that’s the point. Paul says in Romans that God calls things that are not as though they were. Meaning: God speaks to who we’re becoming, not just who we are right now. He sees the future version of us — the one shaped by His grace — even when we can’t see it yet. Gideon pushes back. He tells God he’s from the weakest clan. He says he’s the least in his family. He lists every reason he shouldn’t be chosen. And God doesn’t argue with him. He doesn’t say, “Come on Gideon, you’re stronger than you think.” He simply says, “I will be with you.” That’s the whole foundation of Gideon’s calling. Not his strength. Not his confidence. Not his qualifications. God’s presence. And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe your faith feels small. Maybe you’re looking at your life, your responsibilities, your challenges, and thinking, “I don’t know if I’m enough for this.” Maybe you feel like Gideon — hiding a little, unsure a little, hoping God picked the right person. If that’s you, hear this clearly: Small faith in God’s hands becomes strong faith in God’s plan. Gideon didn’t become a mighty warrior overnight. He took one step. Then another. Then another. And every step was fueled by God’s presence, not Gideon’s confidence. Paul says in Romans that the Spirit helps us in our weakness — not after we overcome it, but right in the middle of it. That’s what Gideon experienced. And that’s what you can experience too. So as you move thru your day today, don’t worry if your faith feels small. Don’t worry if you don’t feel strong. Don’t worry if you’re not overflowing with confidence. God isn’t asking you to be mighty. He’s asking you to be willing. All He’s asking you to take the next step. He’s asking you to trust that He sees something in you that you don’t see yet. Because enduring faith isn’t loud. It isn’t flashy. It isn’t perfect. It’s faith that keeps moving — even when it feels small — because God is with you.   Remember to just be available and know He is with you. Thanks for listening to Enduring Faith and Keep Choosing Love Today.    

We’re walking through Romans together, and each day we’re taking one small piece of truth and carrying it into real life. Today, I want to talk about something Paul emphasizes over and over — something every believer needs at some point: the grace to start over. And to see it clearly, I want to walk with Peter for a moment. Peter is one of those disciples we all feel connected to. He’s passionate. He’s impulsive. He’s bold. He’s the guy who jumps out of the boat, speaks before thinking, and promises Jesus he’ll never fall away. He means well — he really does — but sometimes his mouth moves faster than his maturity. And then comes the moment he never imagined: He denies Jesus. Not once. Not twice, but three times! Can you believe? Every time I read that I think to myself, “There's no way I'd do that!” And then in my head I hear Jesus say, “Yea, sure.” Anyway, when that rooster crowed, Peter didn’t just hear a sound — he heard failure. He heard disappointment. He heard the collapse of everything he thought he was. He runs out into the night and weeps. That’s not a man who doesn’t care. That’s a man who cares deeply and feels like he blew it. Paul says in Romans that God’s kindness leads us to repentance — not His anger, not His disappointment, not His frustration. His kindness. And Peter is about to experience that kindness in a way that will change him forever. After the resurrection, Jesus meets Peter on the shore. Not in a courtroom. Not in a lecture hall. On a beach — with breakfast cooking. And instead of asking, “Why did you fail?” Jesus asks, “Do you love Me?” Three times. One for each denial. Jesus isn’t rubbing it in. He’s restoring him. He’s giving Peter a way back — a way forward — a way to start over. And here’s what I want you to hear today: **Starting over isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of grace. ** Peter didn’t get replaced. He didn’t get sidelined. He didn’t get written off. Jesus put him right back into purpose: “Feed My sheep.” Not because Peter was perfect — but because Jesus was faithful. And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe you’ve had a moment — or a season — where you feel like you blew it. (And honestly, if we're honest with ourselves, haven't all of us had a moment or a season?) Maybe you said something you regretted. Maybe you drifted. Maybe you got distracted. Maybe you feel like your faith isn’t as strong as it used to be. Friend: Listen to me very carefully: God is not done with you. He isn’t disappointed in a way that pushes you away. He isn’t keeping score. As long as you have a beating heart in your body God has a purpose for your life. God made you for a purpose...His purpose...and until you fully realize that purpose life really isn't going to make a lot of sense. Right now your life's mission is to find out your life's mission. He’s inviting you back to the shore. Back to relationship. Back to purpose. Back to grace. Paul says in Romans that nothing can separate us from the love of God — not failure, not fear, not weakness, not regret. And Peter’s story is living proof. So as you move through your day, don’t be afraid to start over. Don’t be afraid to come back. Don’t be afraid to let God restore what feels broken. Because enduring faith isn’t perfect faith. It’s faith that keeps returning to Jesus — again and again — trusting His grace more than your mistakes. Thanks for listening. Put God first in all you do. And always Keep Choosing Love Today.  

We’ve been walking through Paul's letter to the Romans together, and each day we've been taking one small piece of truth and carrying it into real life. Today, I want to talk about something Paul touches on frequently — and that's something every one of us feels at some point: and that's loneliness in our faith. And to help us see it clearly, I want to walk with Elijah for a moment. Elijah is one of those figures we tend to picture as bold, fearless, powerful — calling down fire from heaven, standing toe-to-toe with kings, confronting entire nations. But tucked right in the middle of his story is a moment that feels a lot more like us. After one of his greatest victories, Elijah crashes. Emotionally, Spiritually, Physically. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah runs into the wilderness, sits under a juniper tree, and says, “I’ve had enough, Lord.” That doesn't sound like much of a superhero, does it? He's just being a human being who feels alone......And get this: Elijah wasn’t alone — but he felt alone. And that feeling was heavy enough to make him want to quit. Paul talks about this in Romans when he reminds believers that the Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t even have the words. That’s God’s way of saying, “You’re not carrying this by yourself. You’re not walking alone, even when it feels like you are.” Elijah needed that reminder. And honestly, so do we. Because faith can get lonely. Not because God leaves us — He doesn’t. But because life gets loud, people get busy, and sometimes the path God calls us to walk doesn’t look like anyone else’s. So here’s what God does for Elijah — and what He still does for us: He meets Elijah in the quiet. Not in the wind. Not in the earthquake. Not in the fire. But in a gentle whisper. A whisper is personal. A whisper is close. A whisper means God wasn’t far away — Elijah just needed to slow down enough to hear Him. And maybe that’s where you are today. Maybe you’re doing the right things, trusting God, trying to stay faithful… but you feel alone in it. You feel unseen. You feel like you’re carrying something nobody else understands. If that’s you, let me give you something simple — something Elijah teaches us: *Loneliness in faith is not a sign of failure....It’s a place where God speaks softly.** Elijah didn’t get a pep talk. He didn’t get a lecture. He didn’t get a list of things to fix. He got presence. He got rest. He got direction for the next step — not the whole journey. And that’s how God still works, but you have to take take time for Him daily to listen. If you can't take time daily for Him first thing in the morning then your too busy. I'm not saying 20 or 30 minutes, but long enough to clear you head, be truly thankful and sit back and just listen. Give God a chance. You never know what thoughts may enter your mind. Then, as you move through your day, if faith feels lonely, don’t panic. Don’t assume something’s wrong. God is not worried about your tomorrow (or anything else for that matter). He certainly not concerned about yesterday, but He will take care of your needs today. So, don’t think God has stepped back. He may be closer than you think. He may be whispering. He may be giving you just enough strength for today — and that’s endurance....and that's what you need.   Thanks for listening to Enduring Faith. Keep choosing love today.  

Today’s episode is about a kind of faith we don’t talk about enough — the kind that costs something. The kind that asks you to leave something behind. The kind that requires courage, not comfort. And if you’ve ever had to make a hard decision, or walk away from something familiar, or step into a future you didn’t fully understand… then you know exactly what I’m talking about. When I think about costly faith, my mind goes straight to Ruth. Ruth didn’t grow up in Israel. She didn’t grow up with the Scriptures. She didn’t grow up hearing about Abraham, Moses, or David. She was from Moab — a place with different customs, different gods, and a different way of life. But when her husband died, and her mother-in-law Naomi decided to return to Israel, Ruth faced a crossroads. She could stay in Moab — the familiar place, the comfortable place, the predictable place. Or she could follow Naomi into a land she didn’t know, with people she didn’t know, to worship a God she was only beginning to understand....And Ruth chose the harder road. She said, “Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” That wasn’t poetic. That wasn’t sentimental. That wasn’t a pretty verse for a wedding ceremony. That was a woman choosing sacrifice over comfort. That was a woman choosing faith over familiarity. That was a woman choosing God even when she didn’t know what the future held. And here’s the part that's really encouraging: Ruth didn’t make that decision because she had all the answers. She didn’t make it because she had a clear plan. She didn’t make it because she knew how everything would turn out. She made it because she trusted God enough to take the next step. Costly faith isn’t loud. Costly faith isn’t dramatic. Costly faith isn’t glamorous. Costly faith is quiet courage — the kind that says, “I don’t know what’s ahead, but I’m going to trust God anyway.” Maybe today you’re facing something that requires sacrifice. Maybe you’re having to let go of something familiar. Maybe you’re stepping into a season that feels uncertain. Maybe you’re choosing obedience even though it’s uncomfortable. Maybe you’re walking away from something that once felt safe..... And maybe you’re wondering if you have enough faith to do it. But hear this: Faith isn’t measured by how easy the road is. Faith is measured by whether you trust God enough to walk it. Ruth didn’t know she would meet Boaz. She didn’t know if she would be welcomed. She didn’t know she would be protected. She didn’t know she would become part of the family line of Jesus Himself. All she knew was that God was calling her forward — and she said yes. And God honored her faith in ways she couldn’t have imagined. If you’re facing a costly step today, you’re not alone. My friends....God sees you. God sees your courage. He sees your sacrifice. He sees the faith it takes to walk away from the familiar. And just like He did with Ruth, He is already working in the places you haven’t reached yet. Enduring faith isn’t about choosing the easy road. It’s about choosing the faithful road. So today, if the path in front of you requires courage, take the step. God is already ahead of you… and He knows exactly what He’s doing.   Remember: God sees you, keep enduring, stay faithful, and… Keep Choosing Love Today.

Today’s episode is one that hits close to home for anyone who’s ever felt like their faith is moving slower than they hoped. And let’s be honest — waiting is one of the hardest things God ever asks us to do. We like progress. We like movement. We like seeing results. But faith doesn’t always grow in the fast moments. Sometimes it grows in the slow ones. And when I think about slow faith — faith that has to wait, faith that has to trust God when nothing seems to be happening — I think about Abraham. Abraham is one of those people in the Bible we talk about like he’s a spiritual giant. But if you read his story closely, he spent years waiting on God. Years wondering when the promise would come. Years living in the tension between what God said and what he could see. God told Abraham he would be the father of many nations… and then nothing happened. Not for a month. Not for a year. Not for five years. Not for ten. Abraham waited twenty-five years before Isaac was born. Twenty-five years of wondering. Twenty-five years of hoping. Twenty-five years of asking God, “Is this still happening?” And here’s the really encouraging part.... Abraham didn’t wait perfectly. He had moments of doubt. Moments of confusion. Moments where he tried to “help God out.” He slipped in his plan and said, “Well God, how about this? And God said....Nope..that's your plan not mine.” Moments where he wondered if he misunderstood the promise. But even in all of that, Abraham kept walking with God. He kept trusting. He kept believing that God was still working, even when he couldn’t see it. Romans 4:20 says, “He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith.” That doesn’t mean Abraham never struggled — it means he kept coming back to trust. And that’s what enduring faith looks like. Maybe today you’re in a season that feels slow. Maybe you’re praying for something and it feels like God is taking His time. Maybe you’re waiting on direction, waiting on clarity, waiting on healing, waiting on a breakthrough, waiting on an answer that hasn’t come yet. And maybe you’re wondering if your faith is weak because you’re tired of waiting. But hear this: Waiting doesn’t mean your faith is weak. Waiting is where faith grows. Faith grows when you keep trusting even when the timeline doesn’t make sense. (By the way, that's one of the reasons it's called faith). Faith grows when you keep walking even when the path feels long. Faith grows when you keep believing even when you don’t see movement. Faith grows when you say, “Lord, I don’t see it yet… but I’m still with You.” The slow seasons aren’t wasted. They’re shaping you. They’re strengthening you. They’re teaching you to trust God’s character more than your calendar. And just like Abraham, God sees your waiting. He sees your hope. He sees your endurance. He sees the quiet faithfulness of your heart. So if you’re in a slow season today, take a breath. You’re not forgotten. You’re not stuck. You’re not falling behind. God is still working — even if you can’t see it yet. Enduring faith isn’t fast. Enduring faith isn’t flashy. Enduring faith isn’t easy. But enduring faith is strong. So today, keep trusting, keep waiting, keep walking… and always... keep Choosing Love Today.  

Today's episode is one I have to remind myself of over and over gain. And to be completely honest with you, this was a very tough topic for me to wrap my head around before I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. First of all, I like structure. I'm really not a last minute, do things at the spur of the moment kind of person. If you need my help, please don't ask me at the last minute. Anyone who really knows me...knows last minute “stuff” really gets under my skin, so surprises really aren't my thing. Well, God one that battle of the wills and if my faith was going to grow....I had to (as the saying goes) “Let go and let God”. One of the hardest places for faith to stand is in the unknown. We like clarity. We like plans. We like knowing what’s coming next. And when life hands us a situation where we don’t have answers, don’t have direction, or don’t have control… that’s when faith gets tested. The unknown has a way of making us feel small. It makes us second-guess ourselves. It makes us wonder if we’re doing the right thing. It makes us worry about what we can’t see. But here’s the truth: Faith isn’t built in certainty. Faith is built in the unknown. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” That’s not a verse for people who have everything figured out. That’s a verse for people standing in the middle of something unclear — something confusing — something they can’t map out. Trusting God in the unknown doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It doesn’t mean shutting off your emotions. Trusting God in the unknown means saying, “Lord, I don’t see the whole picture, but I’m going to trust that You do.” It means taking the next step even when you don’t see step two. It means believing God is working even when you can’t feel it. It means remembering His character when your circumstances feel shaky. And here’s the part we forget: The unknown is not unknown to God. He sees the whole path. He sees the outcome. He sees the purpose. He sees what this season is shaping in you. Maybe today you’re like I was (and sometimes still struggle with) and that's facing something unclear — a decision you’re trying to make, a situation you’re trying to navigate, or a future that feels foggy. Maybe you’re doing your best to trust God, but the unknown feels louder than your confidence. If that’s you, hear this: You don’t have to see everything to trust God with anything. Your faith doesn’t have to be perfect. Your confidence doesn’t have to be strong. Your emotions don’t have to be calm. You just need to lean — not on your understanding, but on His. Enduring faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the One who does. So today, if you’re standing in the unknown, just know you’re not lost. You’re not forgotten. You’re not walking blind. God is already in the place you’re heading. And He’s guiding you one step at a time. Trust Him in the unknown — He’s already ahead of you....and I for one and so thankful for that!   So, know you're not lost, keep enduring, be faithful and …...Keep Choosing Love Today!

In this second part of our Romans series, we take a closer look at what real faith actually looks like. Not the polished version we talk about on Sundays, and not the complicated version we sometimes make it out to be — but the kind of faith that shows up in real life. Paul gives us a picture of faith that trusts God’s promise, leans on His strength, and grows through everyday choices. This episode is a practical, down‑to‑earth look at how genuine faith works and why it matters.

Let me ask you a question...does it aggravate you when you do something for someone and it gets to the point they always seem to just take it for granted or that it almost seems like it's expected of you to continue to keep doing it for them? That's a great question for us to explore today and I'd like talk to you a little about that.   One of the quiet challenges of faith is this: We forget. We forget what God has done. We forget how He’s carried us. We forget the prayers He’s answered. We forget the moments He showed up when we didn’t expect it. We forget the ways He’s been faithful — not because we don’t care, but because life moves fast and pressure gets loud. And when life gets heavy, forgetting makes everything feel heavier. That’s why Scripture talks so much about remembering. Over and over, God tells His people, “Don’t forget what I’ve done. Don’t forget how I brought you through. Don’t forget how I kept you.” Not because He needs the credit — but because we need the reminder. And hear me on this.....Remembering strengthens your faith, remembering steadies your faith, and Remembering gives faith something solid to stand on. Psalm 77 says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.” That’s not nostalgia. That’s survival. That’s someone saying, “I’m facing something hard right now, so I’m going to anchor myself in what I know God has already done.” Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is simply remember. Remember the time God gave you peace when you shouldn’t have had any. Remember the time He opened a door you didn’t see coming. Remember the time He carried you through a season you didn’t think you’d survive. Remember the time He provided when you were stretched thin. Remember the time He gave you strength you didn’t have on your own. Those moments aren’t accidents. They’re reminders. They’re anchors. They’re evidence. And when your faith feels tired, or thin, or stretched, remembering becomes fuel. Maybe today you’re facing something that feels bigger than you. Maybe you’re dealing with uncertainty, or pressure, or frustration, or just the weight of life piling up. Maybe you’re trying to trust God, but your emotions are louder than your confidence. If that’s you, take a moment — right now — and remember. Not everything. Not every detail. Just one moment where God was faithful. Let that memory settle in. Let it remind you that the God who carried you then… is the same God carrying you now. Enduring faith isn’t about having perfect confidence. It’s about remembering who God is when life tries to make you forget. So today, don’t rush past what God has already done. Don’t minimize it. Don’t chalk it up to coincidence. Let it strengthen you. Let it steady you. Let it remind you that you’re not walking alone. Because the God who was faithful before… is faithful today… and will be faithful tomorrow.   So, take the time to remember, be faithful and as always.....Keep Choosing Love Today!

Today I want to talk to you a little bit about when we find out if we really have faith, or maybe better put, how much...or what kind of faith do we have? You know, one of the things I’ve learned over the years is that faith isn’t proven in the big moments. It’s not proven in the dramatic stories or the mountaintop experiences. It’s not even proven in the times when we feel closest to God. Faith is proven in the walk — the everyday, ordinary, nothing-special moments where we choose to trust God even when nobody’s watching. Talking about faith is easy. Living it… that’s where the rubber meets the road. James says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” And he’s not talking about earning anything or proving anything. He’s talking about faith that shows up in real life — faith that steps forward, faith that moves, faith that walks. And here’s the thing: Walking faith doesn’t look dramatic. It doesn’t look impressive. It doesn’t look like something you’d post online. Walking faith looks like small choices that add up over time. It looks like choosing patience when you’d rather snap. It looks like choosing kindness when you’re tired. It looks like choosing honesty when a shortcut would be easier. It looks like choosing prayer when worry feels louder. It looks like choosing to forgive when you don’t feel like it. Walking faith is quiet. It’s steady. It’s consistent. It’s the kind of faith that says, “Lord, I don’t have all the answers, but I’m going to take the next step You’ve put in front of me.” And sometimes that’s all God asks of us — not a leap, not a sprint, not a dramatic turnaround… just the next step. Maybe today you don’t feel like your faith is strong. Maybe you don’t feel spiritual. Maybe you don’t feel like you’re doing anything impressive. But if you’re taking small steps — if you’re choosing to trust God in the ordinary moments — your faith is walking. And walking faith is enduring faith. Because here’s the truth: Faith grows when it’s lived. Faith strengthens when it’s practiced. Faith deepens when it’s walked out in real life. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to feel spiritual every day. Just keep walking. One step at a time. One choice at a time. One moment at a time. And before you know it, you’ll look back and realize your faith didn’t just talk — it lived. It moved. It carried you. It held you steady. So today, take the next step. It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Just make it faithful. Because enduring faith… is faith that walks.   So, keep walking, keep enduring, hold on to that faith...and always....Keep Choosing Love Today!

Today I want to talk to you a little bit about when we find out if we really have faith, or maybe better put, how much...or what kind of faith do we have? You know, one of the things I’ve learned over the years is that faith isn’t proven in the big moments. It’s not proven in the dramatic stories or the mountaintop experiences. It’s not even proven in the times when we feel closest to God. Faith is proven in the walk — the everyday, ordinary, nothing-special moments where we choose to trust God even when nobody’s watching. Talking about faith is easy. Living it… that’s where the rubber meets the road. James says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” And he’s not talking about earning anything or proving anything. He’s talking about faith that shows up in real life — faith that steps forward, faith that moves, faith that walks. And here’s the thing: Walking faith doesn’t look dramatic. It doesn’t look impressive. It doesn’t look like something you’d post online. Walking faith looks like small choices that add up over time. It looks like choosing patience when you’d rather snap. It looks like choosing kindness when you’re tired. It looks like choosing honesty when a shortcut would be easier. It looks like choosing prayer when worry feels louder. It looks like choosing to forgive when you don’t feel like it. Walking faith is quiet. It’s steady. It’s consistent. It’s the kind of faith that says, “Lord, I don’t have all the answers, but I’m going to take the next step You’ve put in front of me.” And sometimes that’s all God asks of us — not a leap, not a sprint, not a dramatic turnaround… just the next step. Maybe today you don’t feel like your faith is strong. Maybe you don’t feel spiritual. Maybe you don’t feel like you’re doing anything impressive. But if you’re taking small steps — if you’re choosing to trust God in the ordinary moments — your faith is walking. And walking faith is enduring faith. Because here’s the truth: Faith grows when it’s lived. Faith strengthens when it’s practiced. Faith deepens when it’s walked out in real life. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to feel spiritual every day. Just keep walking. One step at a time. One choice at a time. One moment at a time. And before you know it, you’ll look back and realize your faith didn’t just talk — it lived. It moved. It carried you. It held you steady. So today, take the next step. It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Just make it faithful. Because enduring faith… is faith that walks.   So, keep walking, keep enduring, hold on to that faith...and always....Keep Choosing Love Today!

You know, life has a way of shifting on us when we least expect it. One minute everything feels steady, predictable, manageable… and then something changes. A job situation. A relationship. A health scare. A financial curve ball. Or sometimes it’s nothing dramatic — maybe it's just a slow drift where things don’t feel as solid or as right as they used to. And when life shifts, our first instinct is usually to grab onto something — anything — that feels stable. We look for answers, solutions, quick fixes, or a way to get things “back to normal.” But faith… real faith… doesn’t always work like that. Faith isn’t about keeping life from shifting. Faith is about having something that holds when it does. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” That means faith has weight to it. It’s not wishful thinking. It’s not pretending everything’s fine. It’s not closing your eyes and hoping the storm passes. Faith is substance. Faith is evidence. Faith is something you can lean your weight on when the ground under you feels like it’s moving. And here’s the part we forget: Faith doesn’t grow strongest when life is calm. Faith grows strongest when life shifts. When things change, faith teaches us to trust the One who doesn’t. When life feels unstable, faith reminds us God isn’t. When circumstances move, faith anchors us to something that doesn’t. Sometimes God lets life shift so our faith can settle deeper into Him. Maybe you’re in one of those seasons right now — where something feels off, or uncertain, or heavier than usual. Maybe you’re trying to get your footing again. Maybe you’re doing your best to hold it together while everything around you seems to be moving. If that’s you, hear this: Your faith is not failing. Your faith is not weak. Your faith is not slipping. Your faith is holding. It’s holding because God is holding you. It’s holding because He doesn’t change when everything else does. It’s holding because He’s steady even when life isn’t. Enduring faith isn’t loud. It isn’t flashy. It isn’t dramatic. Enduring faith is quiet, steady, and stubborn. It’s the kind of faith that says, “I don’t know what’s happening right now, but I know Who’s with me.” And sometimes… that’s all you need. So today, if life has shifted on you — take a breath. You’re not alone. You’re not losing ground. And your faith is stronger than you think. Because the God who holds you… doesn’t move.   So...keep enduring, hold the faith...and always Keep Choosing Love Today.